Driving The Legendary Acura RLX Sport Hybrid

Recalling a little history, Honda's Acura division was the first Japanese luxury automaker to roll tires upon American soil in 1986.  The brand's flaghip Legend sedan convinced buyers of European and American luxury brands to embrace Honda's renowned quality and reliability in a more spacious package.  After the onslaught of Lexus/Infiniti, and a switch to RL/RLX nomenclature, sales tumbled - posting only 120 units in November (2,036 YTD, down 34% from the same period in 2014).  Cadillac sold ten times as many XTS sedans...  Time in the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid convinces me the car has the chops to be a real contender.

It may appear as a glorified Accord, but the RLX is much more than that.  It's larger, and significantly so, dominating driveways with a long arching body highlighted by Acura's satin chrome grille, jewel Eye LED headlamps, strongly-formed front fenders, and a rounded rump with LED taillamps.  It plants the road with 19" alloys, a dominating presence wherever it rolls, but maintains the simplicity appreciated by Acura owners.

That's also true of the comfortable interior.  Five passengers stretch out in leather - heated/ventilated up front and heated in the rear.  Drivers tap a heated steering wheel, head-up display, and electronic push-button gear selector.  The Krell audio system with 14 speakers sounds good when cranked, but lacks the definition of other high-end systems at lower volumes.  Rear sunshades and power sunroof filter light and air.

For some reason, I didn't level expletives at the RLX' infotainment system quite as much this time.  Don't get me wrong; I still think the two-screen arrangement is decrepit, yet I've learned to connect iThings through Bluetooth and USBs, scroll through satellite radio stations as if an Intel 286 is in the dashboard, and plot navigation when it's not updating for 10 minutes.  It's complete nonsense.  Honda's latest systems are dramatically improved, so there's hope.

Until then, stay safe with comprehensive safety systems like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation braking, and blind spot detection.  Around-view cameras and front seatbelt pre-tensioners, that anticipate crashes and cinch pre-emptively, go further.

While competitors gun it out with potent V8 engines, Acura sticks with a V6 - albeit one "supercharged" with an efficiently smooth hybrid system.  The powertrain combines a 3.5-liter V6 with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and 1.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack for 377 horsepower.  The gas engine drives the front wheels while twin electric motors turn the rear.  This gives the car near instantaneous torque transfer.  Fuel economy rates 28/32-MPG city/hwy.

Acura's flagship sedan would benefit from a sophisticated electronic suspension like Mercedes' air system or GM's Magnetic Ride Control.  Real time damping would transform the ride quality from thump-a-bump to hushed silk without heaving in turns.  The right bones are in place, but fall shy for a true luxury flagship.

The RLX is a fine luxury car that needs an identity and a little polish.  Sales could only go up with "L E G E N D" chromed across the decklid.  Trash the two-screen frustration system, add electronic chassis control, and Acura's finest would give grief to the Buick LaCrosse, Hyundai Genesis, Lexus GS Hybrid, and Cadillac XTS.  Prices start at $54,450, but came to $66,890 in loaded Sport Hybrid trim.

Storm Forward!

Contact Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com and follow him on Twitter:  @AutoCasey.

2016 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid

Five-passenger, AWD sedan

Powertrain:  377hp Li-Ion batteries, 3.5-liter V6,

                     7-spd transmission

Suspension f/r:  Ind/Ind

Wheels f/r:  19"/19" alloy

Brakes f/r:  regen disc/disc

Must-have features:  Luxury, MPGs

Fuel economy:  28/32 mpg city/hwy

Assembly:  Sayama, Japan

Base/as-tested price:  $54,450/66,890